Wire-working machine.



J. F. GAIL.

WIRE WORKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1913.

1 ,126,746. Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO-LITHOH WASHINGTON. D. c

J. F. GAIL.

WIRE WORKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1913.

THE NORRIS PETERS 50.. PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGIUN. D. C.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2.

J. P. GAIL.

WIRE WORKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAYZ, 1913 1 ,126,74=6. Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

8 SHEETS-BHEET 3.

int/91289;"

THE NORRIS PETERS CO, PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGRQN, D, c

J. F. GAIL.

WIRE WORKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2, 1913.

1,126,746. Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

J. F. GAIL.

WIRE WORKING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION IILED MAY 2, 1913.

1,126,746. Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

64 Elli! D mm ZM 7&0556 5/ Merafor J/Wvj J F GAIL WIRE WORKING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED MAY 2 Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Wazzfa'rc SHINGIUN, D.

TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. GAIL, F KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNQR TO THE SIMMONS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF KENOSHA, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

WIRE-WORKING MACHINE.

Application filed May 2, 1913.

T 0 (22210710712 it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. GAIL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kenosha, in the county of Kenosha and State of \Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVire-lVo1 l ing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for forming a wire fabric adapted for use on couches, beds and the like. Fabrics of this general character are ordinarily composed of a plurality of longitudinal links hooked together in series, the parallel chains thus formed being transversely joined together by cross links. Longitudinal links are usually composed of a length of wire doubled to form an eye at the bend from which the limbs extend parallel to each other to the opposite end of the link where they are hooked into the eye of the next adjacent link to form a chain. It is the usual practice in forming the fabric from the chain to hook the ends of the cross links into the eyes of the longitudinal links, a disadvantageous feature, however, being that in use the transverse strain exerted by the cross links tends to widen the eyes and spread apart the parallel limbs of the longitudinal links.

The primary object of this invention is to overcome this difficulty by imparting a twist to the limbs of each. longitudinal link immediately adjacent its eye thereby wrapping one limb about the cther so as to effectually preclude a separation thereof, and the invention embraces a simple and efficient mechanism for so twisting the chain links.

By reference to the accompanying drawings taken in connection with the following detailed description lased thereon a full and complete understanding of the invention may be had since I have therein illustrated and described a preferred and desirable embodiment of the same.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of such a machine; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a machine; Fig. 3 is an end view thereof; Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a similar section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a similar section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 77 of Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is an end elevation Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Serial No. 765,067.

of the link holding block; Fig. 9 is a vertical section on the line 99 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a vertical section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 7. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the Winding drum driving means, and Fig. 12 is a vertical section on the line 1212 of Fig. 11.

In the embodiment illustrated reference numeral 11 designates a suitable base supporting in suitable bearings the drive shaft 12 upon which are fixed the two gear wheels 18 and 1%. Above the shaft 12 and parallel thereto a countershaft 15 is journaled in the bearings 16 and 17. The shaft 15 has fixed thereon a large toothed gear 18 in mesh with a small toothed gear 1 1 and it also carries a cam disk 19 having fixed thereto a bracket hood 20 the end 21 of which overhangs the edge of the cam disk to form thereloetween a cam groove or channel 22 within which and upon the exterior edge of the cam travels a roll 28 mounted upon theend of the lever arm 24 which lever is fulcrumed at 25 and carriesat its opposite end a segment rack 26 having a function to be hereafter described.

A sleeve 27 is loosely mounted upon the countershaft 15, said sleeve having fixed thereon a large toothed gear 28 in mesh with the small toothed gear 13 upon the drive shaft 12. This sleeve has also fixed thereon a cam 29 upon the outer cam surface of which travel a pair of cam rollers 30 and 31 which are mounted upon a reciprocatory rack bar 32, these rollers being so disposed with reference to the cam that they travel on opposite sides thereof and effect the reciprocaticn of the rack bar under the control of the cam.

Upon that end of the machine opposite the driving mechanism above described is suitably journaled an oscillatory shaft 33 within a housing 3 1. This shaft is tubular being provided with an axial bore 35 and has keyed upon its outer end a pinion 36 in mesh with the rack 37 of the reciprocatory rack bar 32 which latter is guided for reciprocatory horizontal movement within the housing 34 at 88 and upon the shaft 15 by means of the cross head block 39 and yoke 40.

The shaft 38 is preferably split longitudinally as shown in Figs l and 5. the two parts being secured together by means of the lag bolts 41 upon the inner lining 42 which surroundsthe axial bore 35, longitudinal movement of the shaft 33 relative to the housing 34 being prevented by the babbitted connections between the two at 43.

Upon the inner end of the shaft 33 is formed a head 44 having therein between the two halves a'vertically extending chamber 45 the central portion of which is in alinement with the bore 35 of the shaft, the head is also provided with a transverse bore 46 extending horizontally therethrough and cutting the vertical chamber 45. A cam pin 47 is mounted within the bore 46 and provided with a rib 48 taking into a groove 49 of the head whereby longitudinal displace ment of the same is prevented. A notch 50 is formed in the pin at a point correspond- .ing to the interior chamber 45 and one end a toothed portion which coiiperates with a recess 56 whereby to grip therebetween the wire limbs of a chain link as indicated in Fig. 5. Above the clamping jaw 53 are mounted a pairof stiff bow springs 57, 57, and below the clamping jaw 54 is similarly mounted a stiff bow spring 58. The spring 58 is perforated or forked at its end to provide-the apertures 59, 59 within which are disposed the lugs 60 depending from the lower aw 54 and to which are attached one end each of the coil springs 61, these springs being anchored at their lower ends to the eye bolts 62 which are mounted adjustably to-the lower portion of the head 44. By

"meanslof the springs 61 the lower clamping jaw 54 is pulled downwardly upon the spring 58 'which bears upon the cam pin 47 inregister with its cut-away portion 50 and the inter-space normally existing between the lower and upper clamping jaws is in horizontal alinement with the bore 35 of the shaft 33.

The clamping jaws are operated by means of the cam pin 47 and said pin is rotated for the purpose of operating said clamping jaws by means of the following mechanism: A bracket 63 is fixed upon the machine base at one side of the head 44, this bracket providing a housing 64 and a bearing 65 for the two ends of what may be functionally termed a key shaft 66 one end of which is slotted at 67 to receive the flattened end 51 of the cam pin 47, the housing 64 being similarly slotted at 68 to correspond to the slot 67. This key shaft 66 has mounted thereon a beveled pinion 69 which is in mesh with thesegment rack 26 previously referred to and driven by the cam 19.

faces of the members 70 and 71 are so formed as to provide therebetween a channel 74 of cruciform cross section the axis of which is in horizontal alinement with the bore 35 of the shaft 33 and with the inter-space between the two clamping jaws 53 and 54, the upper and lower end portions of-this channel being oppositely inclined at 75 and 76. The lower member 71 of the holding block is fixedly secured by means of the screws 77, 77 to the bracket 78 which is rigidly mounted upon the bed plate of the machine by means of the bolts 80. I

A winding. drum 81 is carried by the shaft 82 which shaft is intermittently driven by means of a head 83 fixed upon said shaft and provided with four radially projecting rollers 84 mounted upon pins 85. These rollers engage in succession within a cam groove 86 of the cam 87, which cam groove gradually approaches the center of the cam and has the bearing face thereof progressively inclined at 88v toward the plane of the cam until it assumes at 89 a position substantially parallel to the, cam face, so that as the shaft 82 rotates and the plane of rotation of the roller 84 changes from that of the plane of the cam to a plane substantially at right angles thereto the said roller will travelupon the upper face of the cam surface until it reaches the point89. During its travel upon the face of the cam from 89 to 90, which path is in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the cam, the shaft 82 will not rotate and retrograde action is prevented by the bearing of the roller 84 against the cam. Beyond the point 90 there is a slight falling away of the cam face traverse by the roller 84 so as to provide for a small retrograde movement of the shaft 82 for a purpose hereafter to be described,

.which retrograde action takes place immediupon the four sides of the drum and of such a depth that the points of intersection coincide substantially with theperipheral surface of the drum. The drum is also provided with four longitudinal rectangular notches 92, the walls of which are disposed substantially parallel and at right angles respectively to the axes of the notches 91. That notch 91 nearest the machine proper is in alinement with the channel 74 of the holding block members 70 and 71 and is adapted to receive upon one face of the drum 81 one of the links of the chain, the limbs 93 of the link lying-within the transverse notch and the head 9% containing the eye 95 resting within the longitudinal notch 92 whereby in effect the head is engaged by the wall of one of the notches 92 and the head of the next adjacent link lies within the next adjacent notch 92 s shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

'i he operation is as follows: The wire chain is conducted from the machine by which it is made, through the central bore 35 of the oscillatory shaft 33, the said chain being guided loosely within said bore. The

" chain as it is fed to this machine is composed, as stated, of wire links each having a head 94: and a pair of parallel limbs 93, the ends of the latter being hooked into the eye of the next adjacent link. As the wind ing drum 81 rotates step by step the engagement of the head 94 of a finished link with the wall of the notch 92 advances the first unfinished link until its head embracing the eye 95 is seated within the cruciform channel 74 of the iolding block, at which time the drum becomes stationary, with the lateral portions of the head resting within the lateral portions of the channel and the bent over hook of the preceding link accommodated within the lower portion of the channel. In this position, as is obvious, the engagement of the holding block with the head of the link effectually prevents any turning of the link head about its axis. In this position the limbs of the link occupy a parallel relation within the head 4A: lying loosely between the clamping jaws 53, 54. The winding drum 81 being stationary and the chain being at rest within the head, the cam 19 causes an oscillation of the lever 24 and the segment rack 26 causes a rotation of the pinion 69 whereby the key shaft 66 is rrtated through substantially 90 degrees. The cam pin 47 having its flattened head 51 interlocked within the slot 67 of the key, said cam pin is likewise rotated within its seat as and its cut-away portion acts as a cam uprn the bow spring 58 forcing the lower clamping jaw 54: upward and grip ping the limbs of the link securely between the clamping jaws 53 and 54: as shown in Fig. 5. lVhile the parts are in this position, the travel of the cam rollers 30 and 31 upon the cam 29 cause the rack bar 32 to be reciprccated and thereby, through the in terineshing of the rack 37 with the pinion 36, the oscillatory shaft 33 is oscillated about its axis, the flattened end 51 of the cam pin 47 leaving the slot 67 of the key by way of the slot (38 of its housing.

In order to effect a relative twisting between the head and limbs of the link to the extent of one complete turn as illustrated in Fig. 7, it is not only necessary that the shaft and its head with the link limbs clamped therein shall be rotated one complete revolution but, in order to provide for the spring or set-back of the wire, it is necessary that the shaft be oscillated through an angle of sli htly more than 360 degrees. In order to accomplish this, the cam 29 is made of such a contour that the rack bar 32 is reciprocated sufficiently to rotate the pinion 36 slightly more than a complete turn and to then provide for a slight recession, so that the oscillatory shaft and head, having made such complete revolution shall become stationary in its former position with reference to the holding block and the key shaft, and the flattened end of the cam pin shall again occupy a position within. the slot 67. The cam 19 now permits the segment rack 26 under the action of the spring 96 to be given a reverse movement, whereby the cam pin 17' turns below the bow spring 58, permitting the clamping jaw 54 to be retracted by the springs 61 thus freeing the limbs of the link from the head. The winding drum 81 is again actuated and by the engagement of the head 94 of the finished link within the notch 92 the chain is drawn through the holding block and the head and the bar of the oscillatory shaft sufficiently to bring the head 94: of the next link into the holding block with its limbs lying between the clamping jaws of the head. The cam 19 thereupon again actuates the lever 2dand through it the key shaft whereby the cam pin is again rotated to clamp the jaws upon the link limbs and immediately thereafter the cam 29 operates through the rack-oar 32 to oscillate the shaft and head in a reverse direction through slightly more than 360 degrees as before. Such operation is repeated as the several links pass through the oscillatory head. 7

It will be observed that the rack-bar 32 is reciprocated in one direction to twist a given link and in its return movement effects a twisting of the next link, in other words, one complete revolution of the cam 29 serves to twist two links. 0n the other hand, it will be seen that a complete to and fro movement of the lever 24: is necessary to clamp and then to release each link, wherefore it will be understood that the cam 19 will be driven twice as rapidly as the cam 29, and this is provided for by the difference in relative size of the toothed gears 18 and 28 on the one hand and the gears 13 and 14 on the other hand, the gear 18 making two revolutions to one of the gear 28. It will also be seen that the winding drum 81 makes one-fourth of a revolution to each revolution of the gear 18 as said drum engages and advances one link of the chain at each one-fourth revolution of the drum. This is effected by the fixed mounting of the cam 87 upon the counter-shaft 15 and the provision of the head 83 with the four 55 slightly between rollers 84%,whereby one revolution of the cam 87 effects the rotation of the drum through 90 degrees. i

In orderto allow for the shortening of 5 the chain due to the twisting of the link limbs one about the other it is necessary to provide for a slight reverse movement of the drum 81 at the instant that the twisting takes place and this is eflected by the fall- 1o ing away, as previously described, of' the cam track at 90 whereby the roller Si is permitted a slight retrograde movement under the tension of the twisting action.

As the chain is progressively formed it 15. is spirally wound loosely upon the drum 81 Within the successive notches 91 and cross links are inserted connecting the heads of the respective links lying within the longitudinal notches 92, the mechanism for in- ZO'serting the cross links forming no part of the present invention and for that reason not shown or described herein. I I claim: i i i 1. In a wire working machine, the combination of two members, one arranged to grip the head of a link having substantially parallel-limbs and the other to grip the limbs of the link near the head, and means to rotate one of the members to twist the limbs 0 one about the other, and said rotating means providing for a subsequent retrograde action to allow of the backspring of the material, substantially as described.

. 2. In a wire working machine, the combination of two'members, one arranged to grip the head of a link having substantially parallel limbs and the other to grip the limbs of the link near the head, and means to oscillate the limb gripping member 44) through slightly more than a complete revolutionto'twist the limbs one about the other and to allow for the back-spring of the material, substantially as described.

3. In a wire-working machine, the combi- 45 nation of means to intermittently feed a chain of wire links, and means operative successively on the series of links and while said feeding-means is inoperative to hold one portion of each link stationary and r0- tate the remainder thereof to provide the link with a twist, substantially as described.

4. In a wire-working machine, the combination of means to feed a chain of wire links forwardly step by step and to recede each chain-advancing movement to compensate for the shortening of the chain by the twisting of its links, and means operative successively on the series of links and while said feeding-means 50 is substantially inoperative to hold one portionof each link stationary and rotate the remainder thereof to provide the link with a twist, substantially as described.

5. In a wire-working machine, the combination of means to feed a chain of wire links forwardly step by step and'to recede slightly between each chain-advancing movement to compensate for the shortening of the chain by the twisting of its links, and means operative successively on the series of links and While said feeding-means is substantially inoperative to hold one portion of each link stationary and rotate the remainder thereof to provide the link with a twist, said rotating-means providing for a subsequent retrograde action to provide for the back-springof the material, substantially as described.

6. In a wire working machine, the combimeans in both head and block, and means to oscillate the head about the link axis.

through an angle of at least 360 degrees, substantially as described 8. In a wire working machine, the combination of an oscillatory head, a fixed block, means to feed the links of a chain successively into the head and block, link holding means in both head and block, and means to oscillate the head about the link axis through anangle of at least 360 degrees, the feeding means arranged to. operate intermittently between the oscillations of the head to advance the chain thelength of one link, the oscillating means arranged to oscillate the head alternately in a reverse direction after each feeding operation.

9. In a wire working machine, the combination of an oscillatory shaft including a head, a fixed block, means to feed the links of a chain successively through the shaft and head, a block provided with an angular channel to hold the link against rotation,

a releasable clamping device arranged with in the head and means to intermittently oscillate the shaft and head about the link axis to effect a twisting of that portion within the head relative to that portion within the block, substantially as described.

10. In a'wire working machine, the combination of an oscillatory shaft including a head, a block, a chain receiving channel formed throughthe shaft, head and block,

the channel within the block being of angular cross-section to prevent the rotation of the chain therein, the channel within the shaft arranged to permit the rotation of the chain therein, releasableclamping jaws mounted within the head and arrangedto grip the chain, means'to feed the links of a chain through the shaft and to bring each link successively into position with its head engaged by the block and its limbs gripped by the clamping jaws of the head, and means to oscillate the head through at least 360 degrees and alternately in opposite directions after each feeding operation, substantially as described.

11. In a wire working machine, the combination of an oscillatory shaft including a head, a block, a chain receiving channel formed through the shaft, head and block, the channel within the block being of angular cross-section to prevent the rotation of the chain therein, the channel within the shaft arranged to permit the rotation of the chain therein, releasable clamping jaws mounted within the head and arranged to grip the chain, means to feed the links of a chain through the shaft and to bring each link successively into position with its head engaged by the block and its limbs gripper by the clamping jaws of the head, and means operating in succession to clamp the jaws upon the link limbs, to rotate the head through a complete revolution in one direction, to release the clamping jaws, to feed the chain-forward the length of one link, to clamp the jaws upon the next link, and to rotate the head in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

12. In a wire working machine, the combination of two members, one arranged to grip a link near one end and the other to grip the body portion thereof, means to rotate one of said members to twist the link, and feeding means to advance the links through the machine, said feeding means arranged to provide a slight retrograde movement to allow for the shortening of the link due to the twisting action, substantially as described.

13. In a wire working machine, the combinaticn of two members, one arranged to grip the head of a link having parallel limbs and the other to grip the limbs of the link near the head, means to rotate one of the members to twist the limbs one about the other to provide for a slight retrograde movement to allow for the back-spring of the material, and means to feed the links through the machine, said feeding means providing for a slight retrograde movement during the twisting operation to allow for the shortening of the link, substantially as described.

14. In a wire working machine. the com bination of an oscillatory head, a fixed holding block, the head and block provided with alined link-receiving channels, link-clamping jaws arranged within the head, the holding block provided with means to prevent the rotation of the link, means to oscillate the head to twist the link, and feeding means to advance the chain thr ugh the machine,

said feeding means provided for a slight retrcgrade movement to allow for the shortening of the link due to the twisting of its limbs, substantially as described.

15. In a wire working machine, the combination of a fixed block having an angular channel therein, an oscillatory shaft including a head having a channel therethrough in alinement with the channel of the block, upper and lower clamping jaws disposed within the head, yielding means tending to separate said jaws, a cam mounted within the head in operative relation to one of said jaws, means to feed a chain through the channel into position with its head within the block and its limbs within the head be tween the jaws, means to rotate the cam to clamp the jaws upon the limbs of the link, and means to oscillate the head about the link axis to effect a twisting of the limbs of the link one about the other, substantially as described.

16. In a wire working machine. the combinaticn of a fixed block having an angular channel therein, an oscillatory shaft including a head having a channel therethrough in alinement with the channel of the block, upper and lower clamping jaws disposed within the head, yielding means tending to separate said jaws. a cam mounted within the head in operative relation to one of said jaws, said cam having an angular portion extending transversely beyond the head. a key shaft having a slotted end to receive the angular portion of the cam. means to rotate said shaft to operate the cam. means to feed a chain progressively through the shaft head and blcck to bring the links successively into position with the link head resting within the channel of the block and the link limbs within the channel of the head between the clamping jaws, and means to oscillate the shaft and head to twist the link limbs one about the other and relative to the head. the several means operating in successicn to feed a link forward into p sition, to rotate the kev shaft to operate the cam and grip the link with the jaws, to oscillate the head through one complete revolution, to rotate the key shaft and release the clamping jaws. to feed the next link into position, to rotate the key shaft and clamp the jaws upon said link. and then to oscillate the head in a reverse direction to twist the link in a direction oppos te to that of the of said jaws, said cam having an angular portion extending transversely beyond the head, a key shaft having a slotted end to receive the angular portion of the cam, means to rotate said shaft to operate the cam, means to feed a chain progressively through the shaft head and block to bring the links successively into position with the link head resting within the channel of the block and the link limbs within the channel of the head between the clamping jaws, and means to oscillate the shaft and head to twist the link limbs one about the other and relative to the head, the link feeding means providing for a slight retrograde movement to allow for the shorten ing of the link due to the twisting action, substantially as described.

18. In a wire working machine, the combination of a fixed block, an oscillatory shaft and head, means to feed the links of the chain successively into the head and block, link-holding means in both head and block, and means to oscillate the head about its axis comprising a pinion carried by the shaft, a rack-bar in mesh with the pinion, and a cam suitably driven arranged to reciprocate the rack-bar, substantially as described.

19. In a wire working machine, the combination of a fixed link-holding block, an oscillatory shaft and head, clamping jaws within the head, means to feed the links of the chain successively into position with the link head resting within the block and the link limbs between the clamping jaws of the head, and means to oscillate the head about its axis through an angle in excess of a complete revolution, said means comprising a pinion mounted upon the shaft, a reciprocatory rack-bar in mesh with the pinion, and a cam suitably driven and arranged to impart to the rack-bar a movement in one direction followed by a slight recession, substantially as described.

20. In a wire working machine, the combination of a rotary head, clamping jaws arranged therein, yielding means tending to separate said jaws, a cam pin mounted transversely of the head in operative relation to one of the jaws, said pin having an angular portion projecting transversely from the head, a key shaft journaled at one side of the head in alinement with the cam pin in its normal position, said key shaft provided in its end with an arcuate slot to receive the angular portion of the cam pin, a pinion carried by said shaft, a'lever having a segthe other by the block and means to oscillate the head about its axis to twist the link, link-feeding means comprising a drum, a shaft carrying said drum, a plurality of roller arms extending radially from said shaft, a .cam provided in its face with a groovefor the reception of each of the rollers in succession, the bearing face of the groove inclined progressively toward the plane of the cam and having its latter portion arranged substantially parallel to said plane, each roller in succession engaging within the cam groove before the preceding roller leaves the parallel bearing surface, substantially as described.

29. In a wire working machine, the combination of a fixed link-holding block, an oscillatory head, link-clamping members arranged within the head, means to feed the links of the chain successively into position with one portion engaged by the head and the other by the block and means to oscillate the head about its axis to twist the link, link feeding means comprising a drum, a shaft carrying said drum. a plurality of roller arms extending radially from said shaft, a cam provided in its face with a groove for the reception of each of the rollers in succession, the bearing face of the groove inclined progressively toward the plane of the cam and having its latter portion arranged substantially parallel to said plane, each roller in succession engaging within the cam groove before the preceding roller leaves the parallel bearing surface, the final bearing face of the cam falling away to permit of a slight retrograde movement of the feeding drum to allow for the shortening of the link due to the twisting action, substantially as described.

JOHN F. GAIL.

Witnesses:

J. H. CANTWELL, JOHN BURNS.

Copies 01 this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

